Those, apparently, are Ryan Sproul's priorities heading into the 19-year-old defenceman's third Ontario Hockey League season.

The Soo Greyhounds stalwart arrived in town last Sunday night, bound and determined to end his club's two-year post-season drought.

Not only that, the Hounds have missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.

“We were probably one of the best teams in the league, player-wise last season,” said Sproul, whose club finished with the league's fourth-worst record (29-33-2-4). “It's hard to figure out what happened. And it's definitely been tough the last two seasons. I'm looking forward to us turning it around this year.”

But can the Greyhounds, who begin on-ice training camp workouts next Wednesday, take significant strides?

Sproul, voted to the OHL's third all-star team at the conclusion of the 2011-2012 campaign, thinks they can.

“My biggest goal is to make the playoffs and, absolutely, I think we can do it,” he said. “We have to.”

A second-round draft choice (55th overall) of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings in 2011, Sproul admits not making the playoffs during his first two OHL seasons has left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Asked for the keys to a Soo turnaround in 2012-2013, Sproul said hard work will be more important than talent for this year's club.

“And we need to work together as a group,” the Mississauga native added. “We absolutely have to take care of our opportunities this season. We have to have the right mental approach and develop some confidence.”

Having already signed a contract with the Wings, Sproul spoke of how his focus this season would be totally on the Hounds.

A year ago, he finished tied for third in scoring among OHL rearguards. His final stat line showed 23 goals and 31 assists in 61 games.

Having battled a throat infection recently, the six-foot-four Sproul saw his weight – which had reached his off-season goal of 200 pounds – drop by about 10 pounds.

He wasn't able to eat for five days and says he came to town early in order to work out with athletic therapist Rich Rotenberg, and get his weight back up.

“I also wanted to get back into the hockey environment here,” he added. “I'm very excited to be back.”

The leadership he showed a year ago, coupled with the way in which Sproul handled a serious injury, has likely earned him a spot among those to be considered for the Greyhounds captaincy this season.

Despite suffering a fractured jaw Dec. 28 and undergoing surgery the following day, Sproul managed to return to the Sault in time for a Jan. 6 game against visiting Windsor.

And bucking all odds, a player the Hounds thought would miss six to eight weeks, willed himself back into the lineup after missing just seven games.

Asked about his interest in possibly captaining this year's club, Sproul said it's not a topic he thinks about.

“It would obviously be an honour,” he said. “I want to be a leader. But we have a lot of very good leaders and, hopefully, all of the older guys step up and help our younger guys. I want to play my best, improve my game in all areas and do whatever I can for this team. But my biggest goal is for us to make the playoffs.”

Though Sproul is excited about starting his third OHL season, he has experienced one recent disappointment.

With an NHL lockout looming, the Red Wings rookie camp and multi-team tournament, normally held early next month in Traverse City, has been cancelled.

“I was really looking forward to it,” Sproul said.

But even without the rookie camp, Sproul is determined to show the Wings what he's capable of by putting together his best OHL season.

He worked hard over the summer, concentrating heavily on strength and endurance.

“I want to be stronger on the puck and stronger in my own end this season,” he said. “I just want to be a better all-around player.”

Notes:

Hounds season tickets will be available for pickup beginning Monday at 10 a.m. At the Essar Centre box office. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets to the Hounds exhibition games and to the Luke Williams Memorial Red & White Game, slated for Sept. 1, go on sale beginning Wednesday of next week.

Meantime, regular season tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday of next week.